Overview
- The Justice Department said two men — William Lee Spartacus Falkner and Jordan W. Rincker — were arrested on June 19 and June 21 and charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to commit murder, bringing the number of charged defendants to seven.
- Federal investigators opened the probe after Tycen Proper’s parents alerted police on June 10, a tip that led to seizure of Proper’s phone and encrypted chats that identified a wider network of roughly 20 participants.
- Prosecutors allege Falkner provided drone expertise, discussing how to load and fly explosive-equipped drones, while Rincker is accused of moving cash, supplying a pump-action shotgun and storing firearms and a 3D printer that agents later seized.
- Searches turned up assault-style rifles, a 9mm pistol, a 3D-printed Glock-style handgun with printed ammunition, tactical gear including a ballistic plate and plate carrier, night-vision devices and a 3D printer with filament.
- Authorities say the plot was disrupted before the June 14 UFC Freedom 250 on the White House South Lawn, leaving open investigative and policy questions about event security, encrypted organizing on apps like Signal and the true operational capability of the group.